Kich
Kich system
The Kich system is know only for the Kalen Shipyards, which are some of the oldest and most productive ship manufacturing stations in charted space. However, in spite of the planet Kalen's rich deposits of resources necessary for spacecraft, and the extensive shipyard, much of the production has fallen into disuse, with massive fields of damaged craft that have never had the chance for repair.
Kich Star
Kalen
The Kalen Shipyards that orbit the barren planet benefit both from the low gravitational attraction and the enormous silicon crystals harvested from the surface.
Gravity: Low
Atmosphere: None
Satellites: 3
Resources: Plastics
Flora:
Fauna:
The Kalen Shipyards began as a series of spindle stations, each working tireless to keep up with the demand for spacecraft. As they each expanded, their structures became too massive to support individually, and were merged together using struts several kilometers long to create a colossal space station whose fields of docks are still uncontested in size and complexity. However, as industry in the Exodian Sector declined, and starship manufacturing industry moved to other sectors, the Kalen shipyards fell into disorganization and disrepair. Now it is populated mostly by junkers, grifters, and disenfranchised spacers eager to find their ticket out.
Kalen Factions
Beginning with the gradual recede of SCO influence in the Kich System, the Kalen Shipyards began to rely more and more on local gangs, political parties, and industry leads. While these factions operate superficially using SCO legal frameworks, it is commonly accepted that they engage in territory wars, illegal business, and corruption. However, residents of the Kalen Shipyards often have a high opinion of one or more faction, as they bring opportunity for wealth, stability, and culture in the absence of the SCO.
Lakefoot The first notable halfling family to start a shipbuilding business in Kalen is the Lakefoots. While they are only a footnote in the rise of larger corporations such as Astrojinx, they wear their origins proudly. The family benefits from a long line of charismatic members who carry forward the persona of proud spacers and engineers, eager to compare themselves to the legendary shipbuilders like Golbersson, Groush, or Balg. However, a number of failed investigations suggest that the family's wealth and influence may be more attributable to their evasion of SCO taxes, faction politics, and possibly more sinister industries.
Haywood & Associates The Haywoods are one of the oldest halfling families on the Kalen Shipyards. They started as a familiy-owned import and export firm, and as they grew in size and influence, began to dabble in smuggling, racketeering, and other organized crime. While their ambition has largely stagnated in comparison to other more recent factions, most attempts to take their territory or business has ended decisively in assassination, sabotage, or blackmail.
Spireguard The Spire is largest spindle station connected to the Shipyards and is home to the wealthiest Kalen residents. The Spireguard are a mix of these elite as well as select outsiders promised luxury and status in exchange for their loyalty and the cooperation of their families. Other factions may have mixed feelings about the Spireguard, since their power and influence keeps wealth concentrated in the Spire.
Sprawlers The largest faction by membership and territory, they mostly consist of dockworkers, scrappers, and couriers. While not as organized or cohesive as many of the other factions, they do value a strong work ethic and humble upbringing.
Moth EatersOne of the newer factions to crop up, they are exclusive in their membership and quite mysterious. Their charter makes reference to the religious iconography such as the Lantern, or the Smothering. It is suspected that they have some association with The Family.
Cornered Originally called the Outcasts, they were a loose group of desperate criminals who could not find membership in any faction. When local enforcers decided to call them "The Cornered", it gave them a sense of solidarity, resulting in a greater organization, leadership, and mission. Since then, they have taken more territory and are notorious for their brutal conflicts.
Transit Authority The Shipyards are comprised of dozens of kilometers of connected railcar tubes that need constant maintenance skilled operation. The Transit Authority operate across all faction territories, repairing and coordinating the transportation of citizens for tolls. It is understood that while in a railcar, your respond to the Transit Authority, no matter the host faction.
Jucers These pilots are a group of adrenalin junkies, pilots, and engineers who organize races both through the endless scaffolding of shipyards and through station corridors. While Jucers are the cause of most collateral damage to the Kalen Shipyards through devastating accidents, the popularity of the races mean that their casualties are largely tolerated and even serve as some of the more popular celebrity gossip.
Scoppies The Kich System is littered with derelict ships, debris fields, and stolen vessels. The Scoppies are a group of scavengers and pirates as happy enough to pick through the refuse as peel the hulls off of passing transports, however they hold a certain regard among the working class, being willing to work under hazardous conditions and barter. While they do not hold any particular territory in the Kalen Shipyards, their alliance with the Sprawlers gives them plenty of berths to unload and enjoy the station's services. However, in the deep space of the Kich System, people know the Scoppies are uncontested, and to hold a few crates of food to bargain with.
Kalen's crystal formations are harvested for their use in the manufacture of plastics.